The new steam-engine boiler just erected by Messrs. Blacker, Collins,
and Co., at their pit at Radstoek, exploded on Saturday morning, and destroyed nearly all the premises; parts of which were blown in different directions to a distance of nearly one hundred and sixty yards. Eight men, including the three engineers, were thrown in different di-• rections. One was killed on the spot, his head being nearly blown off; another died whilst being conveyed home ; another had his boots blown off his legs, and his legs broken ; the others are in such a state that
it is feared they cannot recover. The men now under ground, about fifty in number, cannot be got up for some time ; and much fear is entertained that they will be drowned, as the other engine used to pump water out of the pit cannot be used until repaired. No language can paint the devastation and affliction occasioned by this lamentable accident. The apprehensions of the relatives of the poor miners are as . distressing and as poignant as the grief of the relatives of the killed and maimed.—Bath Journal.
On Saturday evening, during a violent storm that overspread the hills of Derbyshire, and which likewise visited Sheffield, William Gilbert, resident at Froggatt, was returning home, when the extreme violence of the wind, accompani: i with snow, bewildered him in such a way that he made a wrong turn on the road, and it is believed completely lost his way. In consequence of his not coming home, his frieuds proceeded to make inquiries ; mid on Sunday morning they found the unfortunate man laid on the ground near Owlur Bar, quite dead .—Sheffield Iris;
The Nottingham Royal Express coach was on its way to Barnet, on Wednesday afternoon, when, about four miles from that place, it was met by a four-horse hearse coming furiously alone, the driver of which was intoxicated, and incapable of managing the horses. The two vehicles came in contact; and the concussion was so great that the driver of the Express was precipitated to the ground with great violence, and seriously injured. The pole of the coach likewise entered the belly of one of the leaders of the hearse, imd made such a dreadful wound thati
it was found necessary to kill the poor animal 011 the spot. The hearse was nearly broken to pieces.
A melancholy accident happened in a colliery at West Bromwich on Saturday. Five miners were descending a coal-pit to their work, and had proceeded about thirty yards down the shaft, which is one hundred and forty yards deep, when a chain lashed to the roller part on the coalhank by some means became unfiaoened, and fell out, knocking four of the men out of the sleep, and precipitating them to the bottotn ; they were killed instantly, their bodies being dreadfully bruised and their bones neatly all fractured.—Irolcerhampoon Chronicle.
Last week, John Newton, not eighteen years old, an apprentice to a: patteu-maker in Colchester, hanged himself, in a fit of insanity. It was stated on the inquest, that the boy's mother bad been deranged seveit years before she died, and the boy himself bad been subject to firs since he was four years old.
During the tremendous gale which blew on Saturday night, a large schooner, nome unknown, struck upon the Carnarvon Bar, and speedily %relit to pieces ; when all hands perished, before the life-boat, which was promptly launched, could go to their assistance.—North Wales Chronicle.
Such a torrent of rain fell in the vicinity of Oldham, on Monday afternoon, that the banks of the reservoir belonging to the cotton-millof Mr. Lees, atMoor Hey, gave way, and the water overflowing, carried all the bridges before it. At Sheepwashes, a little below, it did very alarming damage to the hat-inanufactovy of Mr. Nelson, and quite inundated all the cottages adjoining. We have not heard of any person perishing.—Manchesier Herald.
On Saturday, a sailor fell from the mast-head of the Thunderer, at
Sheerness, to the deck, and was killed on the spot. The poor fellow.. had only entered on board the ship the day before.
The Swedish sloop, Neptanus, of Wisby, with a cargo of salt, came' on shore here on Saturday last, during a heavy gale at S.E., and was driven into a cavern, by which her topmast and bowsprit were carried away. The crew would have been saved if they had remained by the vessel ; but they quitted her about two miles from the shore ; and the boat having upset amongst the breakers, they perished in sight of many spectators, who could tender them no aid. The vessel is a complete wreck.— Cornubian.
Three boys ran away lust week from an excellent charitable institution in Exeter; and upon being detected, stated the causeof their leaving to be, that "they had beef every day."
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